Ocean City and Planet Aid Clothing Recycling are hoping local residents have made a New Year’s resolution to donate their unwanted clothing and shoes in 2009.

According to Ocean City’s Recycling Coordinator Mark Wright, “Typically we see a lot of donations during the holiday season but experience quite a drop off come January. We are hoping residents will make an extra effort to continue to make donations to help fill the post-holiday void.”

Residents are encouraged to drop off any unwanted clothes, shoes, blankets, and draperies in the boxes located at the Shelter Road Recycling Center. The objective of Planet Aid's Clothes Collection is to establish an efficient reuse system for second hand clothing.

Items donated to Planet Aid are resold and proceeds are used to support education, community development, and HIV/AIDS programs in Africa and Asia.

The Recycling Center is open to residents on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m..

The city also encourages residents to visit the Shelter Road Recycling Center year round in order to recycle the following items: scrap metal, paper, cardboard, commingled cans and bottles, rigid plastic, grass clippings and leaves, brush, concrete, and tires.

For more information, call 609-525-9261 or visit ocnj.us.